Culiverter

Culiverter

Tuesday, 2 September 2008

Well, technically it isn't my food event, Think Spice... is the brain child of the wonderful Sunita of Sunita's World. But I do get to choose the spice... and do the round up... so I think maybe this month it is mine, just a little!*

The spice I have chosen for this month's entry is fenugreek. Also known as methi, fenugreek is a common spice in Indian cooking - and one of the oldest medicinal spices. It was used by the ancient Egyptians for embalming - but I really would prefer no entries of that order!

Fenugreek seeds can be bitter, and should be roasted before grinding to deepen the flavour and knock off the bitter edge. The flavour is powerful and bittersweet - and can be used in sweet as well as savoury dishes. (Apparently it is the main ingredient in imitation maple syrup, though I can't vouch for that one myself!) It is also a popular addition to baked goods.Healthwise, fenugreek is packed full of protein - it's actually a legume as well as a spice! It's a digestive aid, and often taken by breast-feeding women to encourage milk production. And speaking of breasts - apparently it is also taken as a breast enlarger (sorry guys!!) and there are links to it actually working to prevent breast cancer!

Oh yes, and it is known to ease menstrual cramps and act as an aphrodisiac!! Common people, what are you waiting for??

I've been using fenugreek for years when creating curries - but it has only been in the last year or so that I have come to appreciate its individual flavour, and allowed it to take more of a front seat in my cooking. Now I admit - my reasons for choosing fenugreek are twofold. First of all, I want to bring this lovely spice some more publicity... but secondly... and more sneakily... I really want to see more recipes using fenugreek - and can't wait to see the round up!

Right, so here we go with the rules!

Post your fenugreek recipe on your blog before the 28th September. Ideally the fenugreek with be a dominant flavour in the recipe - not just part of a blend!

You can use fenugreek seeds, ground fenugreek or dried fenugreek leaves in your dish.

Include a link back to this post.

Email me your entry with your name, a picture,if any (250 pixels wide, height does not matter) of your dish and the permalink of your recipe by or before the announced deadline to kittieskitchen [at] googlemail [dot]com.

Non -Bloggers are also welcome to join in the fun. E-mail me your entry with a picture to kittieskitchen [at] googlemail [dot]com

The round ups will be posted during the first week of October.

Can't wait to see your entries!

* I do actually have a food event in mind that would be all mine! And obviously fabulous! So as long as this doesn't put me off... watch this space :)

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comments:

Yay, for your upcoming food event. I'm in! Although I should wait to see what it is first, I suppose.

I don't know what to cook for this, but I do have a story. Fenugreek is traditionally used to stimulate the production of milk in nursing mothers. I drank so much of the stuff steeped in hot water over 2 years that I haven't touched the stuff since.

hi dee - I'd read about that use of it - and can totally understand that drinking it as tea for 2 years would put you off slightly!! I'm hoping to firm up the details of my event once this one is finished!

Natashya - I think it was for imitation maple syrup - though why they would bother I just don't know!! ps. I think it's funny we both have baby animals in our kitchens ;)

Hey Lisa, I hope you do - I'd love to see what you come up with!

Cheers Adam - I will hold you to that ;)

Hi Kenny - how do you cope without a working kitchen! I'm sure I would go mad ;)

Thanks Cynthia!!

It's a good spice Candy - it has really upped the quality of my Indian inspired dishes.